ACTUALITE |
19.09.2003
Volleyball : National Teams In Camp
Some 30 players of the national men’s and ladies squads have been short listed for training.
As the count down to the eighth All Africa Games narrows, preparations have reached fever pitch in the country. The various sports federations are fine-tuning their activities to make sure they send the best athletes to Abuja come next month. Volleyball is one of the major sports that will feature in Abuja. Cameroon hopes to bag some medals in this discipline.
In order to ensure adequate training before the competition, some 30 volleyball players of the national men´s and ladies squad (12 for the men and 18 for the ladies) are currently undergoing training at the Concorde Stadium in the campus of the University of Yaounde1. According to the head coach of the men’s national volleyball team, Essoufou Joseph, much attention is being paid to the attack. He said that the moral of the team is high but the major weakness is the fact that the professionals who make up the bulk of the team have not yet arrived in the country. He however said they are preparing the amateur players, in case the professionals do not come, they will be able to present a good team in Abuja.
For the ladies team, preparations are taking place in three phases. The first phase ended last Saturday with a friendly tournament to bring the players to shape after the Nairobi adventure. The second phase, which began on Monday, is meant to improve on the physical performances of the players. Just like in the men’s team, non of the professionals of the ladies team have arrived. According to coach Yende Lavoisier, the contribution of professionals is decisive in the team. He said that if the professionals can join the team early enough, he is certain that the teams performance at the African Cup of Nations in Kenya last month will be improved.
The major problem facing both national teams is the lack of finances to enable a smooth preparations. Players struggle on their own to go for training. Some even trek to the playground just because of the love they have for the sport. It is the wish of both coaches that training conditions be improved to ensure a smooth preparation. The men´s volleyball team won the gold medal in the last All Africa Games in Johannesburg in South Africa. The ladies team came home with the bronze. The Lions will be out to maintain their title while the lionesses will be out do better than their last performance.
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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